The Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS) has marked its fourth anniversary / induction of 19 graduates. The ceremony which took place on Friday, 23-Nov-2007 at the Ebitimi Banigo Hall of the University of Port Harcourt, Choba; saw Miss Adimiekumo Koroye carting the Emmanuel Chiejina's Prize for Best Overall Student. Miss Koroye is the second beneficiary of the award instituted by EPNL's former Deputy Managing Director, Corporate, Mr. Emmanuel Chiejina; in 2006 to encourage manpower development to match the advances in technology within the oil industry. Also for the third time, Mr. Patrick Somiari of EPNL was one of the three winners of the Outstanding Teachers Award.
The IPS is an international collaboration involving the IFP School, France, the University of Port Harcourt and the Industry to provide local content in graduate training, continuing education, applied research and capacity building for the petroleum industry.
In his address at the occasion, the Deputy Managing Director, Corporate and Chairman of the Governing Board, IPS, Engr. Alek Musa; congratulated the new inductees, noting that the IPS has come a long way and still has some way to go but with the commitment shown by all parties so far, I believe we are on the right track.
"You must be quite aware that you now belong to an elite group of eminently qualified graduates who can make their mark anywhere in the world. NNPC / EPNL as a sponsoring company are indeed very proud of these achievements. We therefore salute the commitment of the Academic Staff as well as the Administrative Staff who have worked tirelessly to build this reputation that has become the envy of much older institutions".
Engr. Musa also stated that EPNL as a responsible corporate citizen believes in the capacity development of its host communities which necessitated the sponsorship of the IPS where skilled manpower can be employed. "It is for us, therefore, a matter of business common-sense to make our communities the source of the highly skilled people required in our very high-tech industry. This is what gives Total worldwide acceptance. IPS is one of such efforts by Total", he added. He used the opportunity to reaffirm Total's commitment to the IPS even as he solicited for the need to build a richer network of sponsoring partners.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Port Harcourt, Alhaji L. A. K. Jimoh commended EPNL for encouraging the involvement of her Staff in the growth of the IPS. Expressing the commitment of the Governing Council of the university to the sustainability of the institute, Alhaji Jimoh who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the IPS, said "the Governing Council is ready to do every thing possible not only to advance the industry partnership, but also to support the development and sustainability of the Institute of Petroleum Studies."
Also speaking, the Director of the IPS, Professor Joseph A. Ajienka, outlined the challenges facing the institution which bordered on sponsorship for additional programmes, lack of adequate boarding and lodging facilities but expressed delight that the institute has continued to produce the quality of graduates that are sought after in the industry.
